REVIEW β Be honest. How many times have you been in a public restroom and heard someone a few stalls over talking, and you knew they were on the phone? Or youβre hearing TikToks playing? Public restrooms are germy nightmares, and donβt tell me about washing your hands β you need to disinfect your phone as well! And, through the power of UltraViolet light, simplehuman is offering us a way to do just that with their CleanStation. Letβs take a look.
What is it?
The simplehuman CleanStation is an ultraviolet sanitizer for mobile phones.
Whatβs in the box?
- simplehuman CleanStation phone sanitizer
- Power brick
Design and features
The simplehuman CleanStation is a 7.6β tall, 2β x 4.5β tower of brushed aluminum. There is an opening in the top, similar to a toaster slot, but covered with UV-blocking foam curtains. Powered by an included wall adapter, you place your phone into the top slot, and it is lowered mechanically into the inside chamber, where it is exposed to UV rays on all sides for 30 seconds. There is a great animation of the internal workings on their website. But how does it look in action? Hereβs a video.
Since the device is held by an acrylic carriage, no part of the phone is skipped in the sanitization operation. To let you know it is working, there is an LED ring around the unit about .375β from the top that pulses gently while your phone is being zapped.
Setup
Remove the simplehuman CleanStation from the box and plug the cord into an outlet.
Performance
If you can use a toaster, you can use the CleanStation. (Actually, itβs easier, because there is no lever to push down to drop the βbreadβ into place!) During testing, I found it never malfunctioned or rejected any of the phones I inserted. At the end of the cycle, right before it ejects your phone, there is a chime that sounds. This can be turned off via a button on the bottom of the unit, but why would you? Donβt you want to tell everyone you are smart enough to sanitize your phone?
Thereβs not a lot to judge without performing a lab test before and after. The simplehuman CleanStation takes in any phone that is able to fit into the slot, with or without a case, and returns it back in the stated 30 seconds. Since it is so fast, it is much more likely to be used, rather than the chambers you have to open and close to place the phone in. And itβs a good timer for washing your hands as well.
What I like
- Simple operation
- No touch
- Easy and safe to use
What Iβd change
- Cannot think of a thing
Final thoughts
While Iβve not used other UV sanitizers, during this year+ of COVID, I have kept up with reviews of similar products. None offer the touch-free, fast action of the simplehuman CleanStation. While Iβm not able to test the presence or absence of germs, I do believe the science that says UV light will kill germs, and feel better knowing that my phone is being sanitized regularly. I find this much easier and more effective than using isopropyl alcohol or bleach wipes, and itβs much less likely to stain or damage your phone or case.
Price: $200.00
Where to buy: Company Webstore
Source: The sample of this product was provided simplehuman.
2PCS AirTag Case - Flex Credit Card Size Wallet Holder for AirTag, Purse, Handbag, Backpack, Clutch, Wristlet (Black)
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How is the price not something that’d fall in the “What Iβd change” section?
Especially when compared to various UV sanitizers found on Amazon for about $30, for instance this one with included QI charger: https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Electronics-Wireless-Charger-Sanitizer/dp/B08BJFRS78